PEOPLE in the York and Selby area are invited to get involved in shaping local health services - including the development of a new mental health hospital to replace Bootham Park.

A series of drop in sessions are taking place in York and Selby over the next month where people can exchange views and information about the future development of mental health and learning disability services across the Vale of York.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) is joining forces with Healthwatch to run three public events. The sessions will each run from 3pm to 6pm in venues in York and Selby.

People will be able to give their views on current services and to find out how to get involved in future developments like the new hospital.

Ruth Hill, director of operations for York and Selby at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Since we took over responsibility for services across the Vale of York we have been doing all we can to make sure service users and their families continue to get the care and treatment they need, when they need it, and to bring adult inpatient services back to York as quickly as possible.

“Over the coming months we are keen to start to involve more people in the future development of mental health and learning disability services for people across the Vale of York.

“I hope these events will be the first of many opportunities for local people to get involved with TEWV.”

The events will also give people updates on what’s happening with mental health and learning disability services.

The meetings are taking place on:

- March 31 from 3pm to 6pm at the Priory Centre, 15 Priory Street, York

-April 6 from 3pm to 6pm, at Community House, Portholme Road, Selby

- April 7 from 3pm to 6pm at the Priory Centre, 15 Priory Street, York

For more information please contact Healthwatch York on healthwatch@yorkcvs.org.uk or 01904 621133.